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Is Messianic Judaism Jewish?

Is Messianic Judaism Jewish?

Last updated on: February 4, 2025 at 7:06 pm by Roger E. Olson

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Is Messianic Judaism Jewish? 2025-02-04T19:06:50-05:00 Roger E. Olson

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I have claimed the right to say, as a Christian theologian, that liberal (Christian) theology, as I understand it and as I have described it in my book Against Liberal Theology, is not authentically Christian. It is a different religion, just as, say, Mormonism is a different religion. Or as Christian Science is a different religion. Or as Rudolf Steiner’s Anthroposophy (esoteric) is a different religion. I have no power to enforce my opinion; I can only offer it for others to consider.

Some here have objected, suggesting that it is somehow wrong for me to say that liberal theology is not Christian. The implication is that anyone who claims their theology is Christian must be speaking the truth. Who am I to argue otherwise?

Let me offer an analogy. Is Messianic Judaism Jewish? That is, is it a legitimate, authentic form of the religion “Judaism?” Ask any traditional Jewish person, Jewish in terms of religious identity, not ethnicity only, and see what answer you will receive (assuming he or she knows what Messianic Judaism is).

Leading spokespersons for Judaism, the world over, say emphatically “no.” Messianic Judaism is not Judaism. It is a form of Christianity. Messianic Jews, however, claim to be both Jewish and Christian. Whom to believe? And why does it matter?

Why it matters should be obvious. Only Jews get to decide who and what is authentically Jewish. What have they decided? With very, very few exceptions they have decided that Messianic Judaism is not Jewish. It is not a form of Judaism. We should respect that and agree.

But there is nothing in the Hebrew Scriptures that speaks about Messianic Judaism, so the claim that it is not Jewish is based on Jewish tradition. In this case, Jewish tradition and those who speak for it get to decide. The alternative is that “Judaism” becomes meaningless—IF it is the case that any person or group can legitimately claim to be Jewish (in the sense of belonging to the religion called Judaism).

I will not believe anyone who says they accept Messianic Judaism as legitimately Jewish—alongside the various forms of Judaism in the world (orthodox, conservative, liberal, reform, etc.). The State of Israel says that Messianic Judaism is Christian, not Jewish. So do ALL the leading spokespersons for Judaism in the world. (Of course, I know that Messianic Jews claim to be Jewish in terms of religious identity, so I am saying this about and to others—here—who object to me saying that liberal theology is not Christian.)

So, imagine that a significant group of Jewish leaders came to accept and embrace Messianic Judaism. Would that make Messianic Judaism genuinely Jewish in identity? No. To whom would Judaism still belong? To the traditionalists, to those of Jewish ethnic identity who stick to belief that the Messiah has not yet come. The others would be radical revisionists—leaving Judaism by virtue of embracing a belief alien to authentic Judaism.

None of that is to say or suggest that Jews are not saved! That is not what is in question here. The issue is identity in religion. Judaism belongs to Jews (including converts to Judaism who are recognized as Jewish by Jewish leaders). So Christianity belongs to those who hold to the few basic identity “markers,” foundational beliefs, of historic Christianity—incarnation (Jesus as God incarnate), the Trinity, salvation through Jesus Christ’s life, death and resurrection only, the bodily resurrection of Jesus and his return in glory.

*Note: If you choose to comment, keep it relatively brief (no more than 100 words), on topic (strictly), addressed to me, civil and respectful (not hostile or argumentative), and devoid of pictures or links.*

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